“Character without capacity usually means weakness in a leader, but capacity without character means danger,” says David Gergen. Servant Leadership development and character formation go hand-in-hand. Who a leader is is just as important as what a leader does. Street Cred When describing the core elements of how to persuade and influence others to a particular way of thinking, Aristotle said that effective leaders must possess three things: ethos (character), logos (logic) and pathos (emotion). Ethos was foundational to the other two qualities as it served as the “credibility-factor” of the speaker-leader. The Ethos Factor Today we call this the [...]

A Way Forward Maps and compasses are important when traversing unfamiliar terrain and entering into new territory. The same is true in business. Maps are still helpful in a world that is filled with so many unknowns and daily market adaptations. Having clear strategic direction that is both nimble and market sensitive is crucial to bringing vision and resource alignment and mission/cause fulfillment. Let me offer my version of a simple 7-step strategic mapping process that generates innovative solutions to move an organization, large or small, forward. Strategy Alive™ consists of seven steps: Examine. Explore. Extract. Establish. Execute. Evaluate. Excite. [...]

Servant Leadership During the last two decades, there has been an explosion of interest in the philosophy and practices of “Servant Leadership.” Many business thought-leaders believe that Servant Leadership is the new leadership model for the 21st century. This is especially true in light of the fact that the American workforce is radically changing and by 2025 over 65% of all workers in the U.S. will consist of the Millennial generation who view leadership from a new perspective. It's Not About You Harvard Business Review recently stated, “The idea of Servant Leadership is a great place for new managers to start...The [...]